Fiat Doblo Sandstorm 4x4

Three years after Darude's 1999 hit single, Sandstorm, Fiat created one of the most iconic images you've likely since seen posted on some internet car forum.

I'll describe it to you: a (normally quite ordinary) Fiat van, looking mostly stock but for a skid plate and rally-like suspension at full droop, frozen in an airborne stance that can't be forgotten. Sound familiar?

This is that van, and unless you were at the full-send photoshoot, 2002 Bologna Motor Show, or some random locations in Turkey (more on that below), you probably haven't seen or heard much from it since.

Not only is that dusty old forum image real, but from what I can tell the Fiat concept van still exists.

Still confused? Imagine a Ford Transit Connect short-wheelbase, or a Nissan NV200 or similarly small front-drive delivery van…that could hang with a Ford Raptor.

Being a factory-approved prototype, this Doblo was treated to a ~300bhp 3-litre V6 Fiat engine swap (not sure from which car), a 4x4 drivetrain swap, and the brakes, tires, suspension, chassis stiffening, safety equipment, and armouring you'd need to play rally support van for the Dakar.

The snake graphics it was branded with in time for auto show season? Epic.